Chapter 5Plans and Planning Techniques

EXPLORING MANAGEMENT

Chapter 5

• How and why do managers use the planning process?

• What types of plans do manager use?• What are some useful planning tools and

techniques?

5.1

How and Why Managers Plan• Planning is one of the four functions of

management. • Planning is the process of setting objectives

and identifying how to achieve them. • Planning improves focus and action

orientation. • Planning improves coordination and control. • Planning improves time management.

HOW AND WHY MANAGERS PLAN

The Planning Function• Planning sets objectives and identifies

how to achieve them.

HOW AND WHY MANAGERS PLAN

Planning Steps

Define objectivesStretch goals – performance targets that require hard work

Determine current status compared to objectives

Develop premises regarding future conditions and generate alternative scenarios for what may happen

Analyze alternatives and make a plan

Implement and evaluate the plan

HOW AND WHY MANAGERS PLAN

Reasons for PlanningGood planning makes us: Action oriented—keeping a results-driven

sense of direction Priority oriented—making sure the most

important things get first attention Advantage oriented—ensuring that all re-

sources are used to best advantage Change oriented—anticipating problems and

opportunities so they can be best dealt with

HOW AND WHY MANAGERS PLAN

Reasons for PlanningPlanning improves focus and action

orientation Action orientation Clear priorities Avoid complacency trap

HOW AND WHY MANAGERS PLAN

Reasons for PlanningImproved coordination and control• Planning links with

control so success can be measured

• Hierarchy of objectives – lower level objectives help accomplish higher ones

HOW AND WHY MANAGERS PLAN

Reasons for planning

Planning improves time management

5.2

Types of plans• Managers use short-range and long-range

plans.• Managers use strategic and operational

plans.• Organizational policies and procedures

are plans.• Budgets are plans that commit resources

to activities.

TYPES OF PLANS

Time Frames

• Short-range plans – usually cover a year or less.

• Long-range plans– Usually cover three years or

more

TYPES OF PLANS

Time FramesJaques’s Findings on Long-Term Thinking • Most people are comfortable with 3-month

time spans. • Some work well with a 1-year time span. • Only the rare person can handle a 20-year

time span.

TYPES OF PLANS

Strategy• Strategic Plans identify long-term directions

for the organization.• Vision is the purpose for the organization

TYPES OF PLANS

Strategy• Operational Plans identify activities to

implement strategic plans. • Functional plans identify roles of functional

areasProduction Plans

Financial Plans

Marketing Plans

Facilities Plans

Human Resource Plans

TYPES OF PLANS

Policies and proceduresPolicy

• communicates broad guidelines for making decisions

Procedure • defines specific actions to be taken in

specific situations

TYPES OF PLANS

BudgetsBudgets commit resources to activities,

programs or projectsTypes of budgets• Financial budgets project cash flows and

expenses• Operating budgets anticipate sales and

revenue• Nonmonetary budgets allocate resources

TYPES OF PLANS

BudgetsMore types of budgets• Fixed budgets allocate set amounts to a

specific purpose• Flexible budgets vary in proportion to a

level of activity• Zero based budgets start from scratch

5.3

Planning tools and techniques• Forecasting tries to predict the future.• Contingency planning creates back-up plans for

when things go wrong.• Scenario planning crafts plans for alternative

future conditions.• Benchmarking identifies best practices.• Staff planners provide special expertise.• Participatory planning improves

implementation.• Goal setting helps align plans and activities.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

ForecastingForecasting attempts to predict the future• Qualitative forecasting relies on expert

opinions• Quantitative forecasting relies on

mathematical models and statistical analysis

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Contingency and Scenario planning

Contingency planning identifies alternative courses of action when things go wrong.

Scenario planning identifies future scenarios and how to deal with them.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

BenchmarkingBenchmarking identifies best practices used

by others• External comparisons provide insight for

planning• Best practices are methods that provide

superior performance

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Planners and ParticipationStaff planners provide expertise in the

planning processParticipatory planning improves the

implementation process

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

GoalsGoal setting aligns plans and activities

•clearly target key results and outcomes to be accomplished Specific •linked to specific timetables and “due dates”Timely

•described so results can be measured without ambiguity.Measurable

•include a stretch factor that moves toward real gains.Challenging

•although challenging, realistic and possible to achieve.Attainable